Mrs Martin (Head of Year 3)

There was no better way to start the Year 3 term, than learning new skills in the fabulous outdoor environment of Ickwell Bury Nature Reserve to help foster independent inquiry skills.

Year 3 used the expertise of Mrs Russell, an outdoor learning specialist, to take part in risk-assessed, but not risk-averse activities.

The girls were asked to create dens that would be big enough for their team to sit and shelter under. Their resources included mallets and pegs, ground sheets and large branches and using collaborative working skills, they created some fantastic structures. It was great to see such resilient, adaptable and confident girls, in occasionally adverse circumstances!

In such a rich learning environment, the girls were also given an open-ended task to create a butterfly, using natural resources. The results were stunning and provided lots of discussion opportunities and appreciation of the world around them. It wouldn’t have been the same without finishing the activities with a hot chocolate and s’more, hand toasted by the girls on the open fire.

Miss Coote (Year 3 teacher) and I were incredibly impressed with their curiosity and independent skills and are looking forward to a successful year ahead!